IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 619 

Recognizing that cardiovascular disease continues to be an overwhelming 

threat to women’s health and the importance of providing basic, preventive heart screenings to women wherever they seek primary care. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JUNE 11, 2014 

Mrs. CAPITO (for herself, Ms. EDWARDS, Mrs. BEATTY, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. 

HERRERA BEUTLER, Ms. MATSUI, and Mrs. NOEM) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing that cardiovascular disease continues to be an 

overwhelming threat to women’s health and the importance of providing basic, preventive heart screenings to 

women wherever they seek primary care. 

Whereas heart disease remains the leading cause of death for 

women in the United States, causing 1 in 4 female 

deaths and more deaths than all forms of cancer combined; 

Whereas since 1984, the number of deaths from heart disease 

for women has exceeded those for men; 

Whereas the rate of cardiovascular death is increasing by 1 

percent each year among women ages 35 to 44; 


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2 

•HRES 619 IH 

Whereas heart disease claims the life of nearly 422,000 

women each year; 

Whereas almost half of all African-American women have 

some form of cardiovascular disease and are more likely 

to die from heart disease than White women; 

Whereas heart disease and stroke account for $312.6 billion 

in health care expenditures and lost productivity annually; 

Whereas only 54 percent of women recognize that their number one killer is heart disease and almost two-thirds of 

women who unexpectedly die of heart disease have no 

previous symptoms of disease; 

Whereas many women, especially younger women, may not be 

aware of their risk for heart disease because they have 

never gotten a basic, preventive heart screening and have 

no symptoms; 

Whereas studies show that nearly 1 in 5 women rely solely 

on their OB/GYN for primary care, yet only 35 percent 

of women recall having even discussed heart disease with 

their OB/GYN; 

Whereas identifying cardiovascular disease risk factors early, 

such as high blood pressure, smoking, excessive weight 

and obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes, allows for 

more effective intervention and treatment, and can dramatically lower a woman’s overall risk of heart disease 

and heart attack; 

Whereas the burden of women’s heart disease can be reduced 

in the United States by ensuring that wherever women 

seek care they get a basic, preventive heart disease 

screening; 


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•HRES 619 IH 

Whereas experts recommend and encourage that a basic, preventive heart screening be a routine part of a woman’s 

visit to a primary care practitioner; and 

Whereas once women understand their risk, they also need 

follow-up information, support, and incentives to maintain cardiovascular health and make the most informed 

decisions: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recognizes that despite improved education 

3 and awareness, heart disease remains the number 

4 one killer of women in the United States and this re5 sult is untenable; 

6 (2) recognizes the importance of early basic, 

7 preventive cardiovascular screening for women, 

8 wherever they seek primary care, so that all women 

9 can know their risks and what can be done to reduce 

10 them; 

11 (3) recognizes that basic, preventive heart dis12 ease screenings should be a routine part of women’s 

13 health care; and 

14 (4) commits to improving the heart health of all 

15 women, tearing down the barriers that prevent 

16 women from getting screened for heart disease, en17 suring women are provided with personalized life18 style modification recommendations and support, 

19 and ensuring all women have a healthy heart. 

Æ 


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